Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

My auto was impounded after an accident. Am I responsible for storage fees?

My son was in an auto accident. The police report did not cite either party at

fault. The car is not drivable or worth fixing. We did not have collision

insurance on the car. The police had the car towed to an impound lot at $22/

day. We had to leave the car there for insurance companies to inspect and now

have been given permission to release the car. I would just like to have the car

junked. The car has been stored for 10 days but I can not get it out of the

impound yard without paying $220 for a worthless car. I want to tow it to a

scrap yard. Can I legally tow the car without paying the impound yard. This

seems excessive to me. I can have the car towed through my auto club to a

scrap yard but really want to negotiate the $220 but have had no luck. Any

suggestions.


Asked on 2/08/06, 3:28 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Carl Starrett Law Offices of Carl H. Starrett II

Re: My auto was impounded after an accident. Am I responsible for storage fees?

Maybe the impound yard would "buy" the car from you in lieu of the storage fees. I doubt the scrap value would be more than a couple hundred bucks anyway.

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Answered on 2/08/06, 4:08 pm
Jonathan Stein Law Offices of Jonathan G. Stein

Re: My auto was impounded after an accident. Am I responsible for storage fees?

The tow yard can sell the vehicle through a "lien sale" process. You should take pictures of the car and make sure you have all of your personal belongings out. Then, you can either sign title over or let them sell it. Of course, if your son was injured or you plan on trying to recover for damages, your attorney may want you to keep the car.

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Answered on 2/08/06, 6:45 pm


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